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###### Department of Agriculture

###### Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

          - [Docket No. APHIS-2012-0082]

# AGENCY:

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

# ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

In accordance with legislation implementing the results of the Uruguay Round of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, we are informing the public of the international standard-setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, and the North American Plant Protection Organization, and we are soliciting public comment on the standards to be considered.

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments by either of the following methods:
      -  Federal eRulemaking Portal:                          Go to                          http://www.regulations.gov/​#!documentDetail;​D=​APHIS-2012-0082-0001. 
      -  Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery:                          Send your comment to Docket No. APHIS-2012-0082, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road, Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.                    

                        Supporting documents and any comments we receive on this docket may be viewed at                         *http://www.regulations.gov/​#!docketDetail;​D=​APHIS-2012-0082*                         or in our reading room, which is located in room 1141 of the USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 799-7039 before coming.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For general information on the topics covered in this notice, contact Mrs. Jessica Mahalingappa, Acting Associate Deputy Administrator for SPS Management, International Services, APHIS, room 1132, USDA South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; (202) 799-7121.

For specific information regarding standard-setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, contact Dr. Michael David, Director, International Animal Health Standards Team, National Center for Import and Export, VS, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 33, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231; (301) 851-3302.

For specific information regarding the standard-setting activities of the International Plant Protection Convention or the North American Plant Protection Organization, contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga, Program Director, International Phytosanitary Standards, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road, Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 851-2032.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Background

                    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established as the common international institutional framework for governing trade relations among its members in matters related to the Uruguay Round Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization to the General Agreement on Tariffs and                           ( print page 1827)                        Trade. U.S. membership in the WTO was approved by Congress when it enacted the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Pub. L. 103-465), which was signed into law on December 8, 1994. The WTO Agreements, which established the WTO, entered into force with respect to the United States on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements Act amended Title IV of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. 2531*et seq.*). Section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2578), requires the President to designate an agency to be responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international standard-setting organization. The designated agency must inform the public by publishing an annual notice in the                     **Federal Register**                     that provides the following information: (1) The SPS standards under consideration or planned for consideration by the international standard-setting organization; and (2) for each SPS standard specified, a description of the consideration or planned consideration of that standard, a statement of whether the United States is participating or plans to participate in the consideration of that standard, the agenda for U.S. participation, if any, and the agency responsible for representing the United States with respect to that standard.                

“International standard” is defined in 19 U.S.C. 2578b as any standard, guideline, or recommendation: (1) Adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) regarding food safety; (2) developed under the auspices of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE, formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties) regarding animal health and welfare, and zoonoses; (3) developed under the auspices of the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) in cooperation with the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) regarding plant health; or (4) established by or developed under any other international organization agreed to by the member countries of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the member countries of the WTO.

The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23, 1995 (60 FR 15845), designated the Secretary of Agriculture as the official responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex, OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO. The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) informs the public of Codex standard-setting activities, and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) informs the public of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO standard-setting activities.

                    FSIS publishes an annual notice in the                     **Federal Register**                     to inform the public of SPS standard-setting activities for Codex. Codex was created in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization. It is the major international organization for encouraging international trade in food and protecting the health and economic interests of consumers.                

APHIS is responsible for publishing an annual notice of OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO activities related to international standards for plant and animal health and representing the United States with respect to these standards. Following are descriptions of the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO organizations and the standard-setting agenda for each of these organizations. We have described the agenda that each of these organizations will address at their annual general sessions, including standards that may be presented for adoption or consideration, as well as other initiatives that may be underway at the OIE, IPPC, and NAPPO.

                    The agendas for these meetings are subject to change, and the draft standards identified in this notice may not be sufficiently developed and ready for adoption as indicated. Also, while it is the intent of the United States to support adoption of international standards and to participate actively and fully in their development, it should be recognized that the U.S. position on a specific draft standard will depend on the acceptability of the final draft. Given the dynamic and interactive nature of the standard-setting process, we encourage any persons who are interested in the most current details about a specific draft standard or the U.S. position on a particular standard-setting issue, or in providing comments on a specific standard that may be under development, to contact APHIS. Contact information is provided at the beginning of this notice under                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                    .                

## OIE Standard-Setting Activities

The OIE was established in Paris, France, in 1924 with the signing of an international agreement by 28 countries. It is currently composed of 178 Members, each of which is represented by a delegate who, in most cases, is the chief veterinary officer of that country or territory. The WTO has recognized the OIE as the international forum for setting animal health and welfare standards, reporting global animal disease events, and presenting guidelines and recommendations on sanitary measures relating to animal health.

The OIE facilitates intergovernmental cooperation to prevent the spread of contagious diseases in animals by sharing scientific research among its Members. The major functions of the OIE are to collect and disseminate information on the distribution and occurrence of animal diseases and to ensure that science-based standards govern international trade in animals and animal products. The OIE aims to achieve these through the development and revision of international standards for diagnostic tests, vaccines, and the safe international trade of animals and animal products.

The OIE provides annual reports on the global distribution of animal diseases, recognizes the free status of Members for certain diseases, categorizes animal diseases with respect to their international significance, publishes bulletins on global disease status, and provides animal disease control guidelines to Members. Various OIE commissions and working groups undertake the development and preparation of draft standards, which are then circulated to Members for consultation (review and comment). Draft standards are revised accordingly and are then presented to the OIE World Assembly of Delegates (all the Members) during the General Session, which meets annually every May, for review and adoption. Adoption, as a general rule, is based on consensus of the OIE membership.

                    The next OIE General Session is scheduled for May 26-31, 2013, in Paris, France. Currently, the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary Services program is the official U.S. Delegate to the OIE. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' Veterinary Services program intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any standard up for adoption. Information about OIE draft Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code chapters may be found on the Internet at                     *http://www.aphis.usda.gov/​import_​export/​animals/​oie/​*                     or by contacting Dr. Michael David (see                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     above).                

### OIE Terrestrial and Aquatic Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices Adopted by the May 2012 General Session

                    Over 32 Code chapters were amended, rewritten, or newly proposed and                           ( print page 1828)                        presented for adoption at the General Session. The following Code chapters are of particular interest to the United States:                

                    1.                     *Glossary*

The definition for the term “infestation” was added to the chapter.

                    2.                     *Chapter 1.1, Notification of Diseases and Epidemiological Information*

The change in the text updates some of the terminology in this chapter.

                    3.                     *Chapter 1.2, Criteria for listing diseases*

New criteria were adopted for listing notifiable diseases.

                    4.                     *Chapter 1.4, Animal Health Surveillance*

Minor changes and some additional text for improved clarity were adopted.

                    5.                     *Chapter 3.2, Evaluation of Veterinary Services*

Text in this chapter was modified for clarity and adopted.

                    6.                     *Chapter 3.4, Veterinary Legislation*

This is a new Code chapter which was adopted with minor modifications to the text.

                    7.                     *Chapter 4.6, Collection and Processing of Bovine, Small Ruminant and Porcine Semen*

This chapter was adopted with updated text to include new testing procedures.

                    8.                     *Chapter 6.4, Biosecurity Procedures in Poultry Production*

Minor updates to this chapter were adopted.

                    9.                     *Chapter 6.7, Harmonization of National Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance and Monitoring Programs*

Text concerning specificity (prescriptiveness) was removed and made more accommodating of the local situation.

                    10.                     *Chapter 6.8, Monitoring of the Quantities and Usage Patterns of Antimicrobial Agents Used in Food Producing Animals*

Changes were made in this chapter to improve clarity.

                    11.                     *Chapter 7.1, Introduction to the recommendations for animal welfare*

General principles for animal welfare in livestock production systems were developed and adopted.

                    12.                     *Chapter 7.9, Animal Welfare in Beef Cattle Production Systems*

This newly adopted code chapter is the first animal welfare chapter on production and housing of livestock.

                    13.                     *Chapter 8.6, Aujesky's disease*

Additional clarity was made to the term “captive wild pigs” to clearly indicate that these are pigs which are “under direct human supervision and control”.

                    14.                     *Chapter 10.4, Notifiable Avian Influenza*

Text was added to the “General Provisions” section of this chapter to clarify a country's disease notification requirements.

                    15.                     *Chapter 12.9, Equine viral arteritis*

An updated chapter on Equine viral arteritis was adopted.

The following Aquatic Code chapters are of particular interest to the United States:

                    1.                     *Chapter 6.4, Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in aquatic animals*

This is a new Code chapter adopted and supported by the United States.

                    2.                     *Chapter 6.5, Development and harmonization of national antimicrobial resistance surveillance and monitoring programs for aquatic animals*

This is a new Code chapter.

                    3.                     *Chapter 7.4, Killing of farmed fish for disease control purposes*

This is a new chapter.

### OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code Chapters and Appendices for Future Review

Existing Terrestrial Animal Health Code chapters that may be further revised and new chapters that may be drafted in preparation for the next General Session in 2013 include the following:
    - Chapter 6.9, Responsible and Prudent Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Veterinary Medicine.
    - Chapter 6.10, Risk Analysis for Antimicrobial Resistance Arising from the Use of Antimicrobial Agents in Animals.
    - Chapter 7.5, Use of Animals in Research and Education
    - Chapter 8.3, Bluetongue.
    - Chapter 8.4, Infection with Echinococcus multilocularis. 
    - Chapter 8.12, Rinderpest.
    - Chapter 8.13, Infection with Trichinella. 
    - Chapter 8.15, Vesicular stomatitis.
    - Chapter 9.1, Infestation of honey bees with Acarapis woodi. 
    - Chapter 9.4, Infestation with Aethina. 
    - Chapter 9.5, Infestation of honey bees with Tropilaelaps                      spp.                 
    - Chapter 9.6, Infestation of honey bees with Varroa                      spp.                 
    - Chapter 11.2, Infection with Lumpy skin disease virus.
    - Chapter 11.3, Infection with Brucella abortus, 
    - Chapter 11.X, Infection with Brucella melitensis. 
    - Chapter 11.X, Infection with Brucella suis. 
    - Chapter 14.8, Infection with Peste Des Petits Ruminants Virus.
    - Chapter 15.2, Classical swine fever.
    - Chapter X.X., Infection with Echinococcus granulosus. 
    - Chapter 7.X, Animal Welfare in Broiler Production Systems.
    - Chapter 7.X Animal Welfare in Dairy Production Systems.

### IPPC Standard-Setting Activities 

The IPPC is a multilateral convention adopted in 1952 for the purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products and to promote appropriate measures for their control. Under the IPPC, the understanding of plant protection has been, and continues to be, broad, encompassing the protection of both cultivated and noncultivated plants from direct or indirect injury by plant pests. Activities addressed by the IPPC include the development and establishment of international plant health standards, the harmonization of phytosanitary activities through emerging standards, the facilitation of the exchange of official and scientific information among countries, and the furnishing of technical assistance to developing countries that are signatories to the IPPC. 

The IPPC is under the authority of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the members of the Secretariat of the IPPC are appointed by the FAO. The IPPC is implemented by national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) in cooperation with regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs); the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM, formerly referred to as the International Commission on Phytosanitary Measures); and the Secretariat of the IPPC. The United States plays a major role in all standard-setting activities under the IPPC and has representation on FAO's highest governing body, the FAO Conference. 

                    The United States became a contracting party to the IPPC in 1972 and has been actively involved in furthering the work of the IPPC ever since. The IPPC was amended in 1979, and the amended version entered into force in 1991 after two-thirds of the contracting countries accepted the amendment. More recently, in 1997, contracting parties completed negotiations on further amendments that were approved by the FAO Conference and submitted to the parties for acceptance. This 1997 amendment                           ( print page 1829)                        updated phytosanitary concepts and formalized the standard-setting structure within the IPPC. The 1997 amended version of the IPPC entered into force after two-thirds of the contracting parties notified the Director General of FAO of their acceptance of the amendment in October 2005. The U.S. Senate gave its advice and consent to acceptance of the newly revised IPPC on October 18, 2000. The President submitted the official letter of acceptance to the FAO Director General on October 4, 2001.                 

The IPPC has been, and continues to be, administered at the national level by plant quarantine officials whose primary objective is to safeguard plant resources from injurious pests. In the United States, the national plant protection organization is APHIS' Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) program. The steps for developing a standard under the IPPC are described below. 

*Step 1:*                     Proposals for a new international standard for phytosanitary measures (ISPM) or for the review or revision of an existing ISPM are submitted to the Secretariat of the IPPC in a standardized format on a 2-year cycle. Alternatively, the Secretariat can propose a new standard or amendments to existing standards.                 

*Step 2:*                     After review by the Standards Committee and the Strategic Planning, a summary of proposals is submitted by the Secretariat to the CPM. The CPM identifies the topics and priorities for standard setting from among the proposals submitted to the Secretariat and others that may be raised by the CPM.                 

*Step 3:*                     Specifications for the standards identified as priorities by the CPM are drafted by the Standards Committee. The draft specifications are subsequently made available to members and RPPOs for comment (60 days). Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Taking into account the comments, the Standards Committee finalizes the specifications.                 

*Step 4:*                     The standard is drafted or revised in accordance with the specifications by a working group designated by the Standards Committee. The resulting draft standard is submitted to the Standards Committee for review.                 

*Step 5:*                     Draft standards approved by the Standards Committee are distributed to members by the Secretariat and RPPOs for consultation (100 days). Comments are submitted in writing to the Secretariat. Where appropriate, the Standards Committee may establish open-ended discussion groups as forums for further comment. The Secretariat summarizes the comments and submits them to the Standards Committee.                 

*Step 6:*                     Taking into account the comments, the Secretariat, in cooperation with the Standards Committee, revises the draft standard. The Standards Committee submits the final version to the CPM for adoption.                 

*Step 7:*                     The ISPM is established through formal adoption by the CPM according to Rule X of the Rules of Procedure of the CPM.                 

*Step 8:*                     Review of the ISPM is completed by the specified date or such other date as may be agreed upon by the CPM.                 

Each member country is represented on the CPM by a single delegate. Although experts and advisors may accompany the delegate to meetings of the CPM, only the delegate (or an authorized alternate) may represent each member country in considering a standard up for approval. Parties involved in a vote by the CPM are to make every effort to reach agreement on all matters by consensus. Only after all efforts to reach a consensus have been exhausted may a decision on a standard be passed by a vote of two-thirds of delegates present and voting. 

                    Technical experts from the United States have participated directly in working groups and indirectly as reviewers of all IPPC draft standards. The United States also has a representative on the Standards Committee and the CPM Bureau. In addition, documents and positions developed by APHIS and NAPPO have been sources of significant input for many of the standards adopted to date. This notice describes each of the IPPC standards currently under consideration or up for adoption. The full text of each standard will be available on the Internet at                     *http://ocs.ippc.int/​index.html#*. Interested individuals may review the standards posted on this Web site and submit comments to                     *Julie.E.Aliaga@aphis.usda.gov.*

The next CPM meeting is scheduled for April 8-12, 2013, at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The Deputy Administrator for APHIS' PPQ program is the U.S. delegate to the CPM. The Deputy Administrator intends to participate in the proceedings and will discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any standards up for adoption. The agenda for the Fifth Session of the Commission of Phytosanitary Measures is as follows: 

1. Opening of the session. 

2. Adoption of the agenda. 

3. Election of the Rapporteur. 

4. Report by the CPM chairperson. 

5. Report by the Secretariat. 

6. Report of the technical consultation among RPPOs. 

7. Report of observer organizations. 

8. Goal 1: A robust international standard-setting and implementation program. 

9. Goal 2: Information exchange systems appropriate to meet IPPC obligations. 

10. Goal 3: Effective dispute settlement systems. 

11. Goal 4: Improved phytosanitary capacity of members. 

12. Goal 5: Sustainable implementation of the IPPC. 

13. Goal 6: International promotion of the IPPC and cooperation with relevant regional and international organizations. 

14. Goal 7: Review of the status of plant protection in the world. 

15. Election of the Bureau. 

16. Membership of CPM subsidiary bodies. 

17. Calendar. 

18. Other business. 

19. Date and venue of the next meeting. 

20. Adoption of the report. 

It is expected that the following standards will be sufficiently developed to be considered by the CPM for adoption at its 2013 meeting. The United States, represented by the Deputy Administrator for APHIS' PPQ program, will participate in consideration of these standards. The U.S. position on each of these issues will be developed prior to the CPM session and will be based on APHIS' analysis, information from other U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from interested stakeholders. 
    -  Revision of ISPM 11, Pest risk analysis for quarantine pests and Annex to ISPM 11, Pest risk analysis for plants as quarantine pests.                      The annex provides specific guidance for conducting pest risk analysis to determine if a plant is a pest of plants (cultivated or wild), whether it should be regulated, and to identify phytosanitary measures to reduce pest risk to an acceptable level. The international standard has been modified to harmonize concepts with its annex.                 
    -  Annex 1 to ISPM 15: Approved treatments associated with wood packaging material.                      The annex contains guidance for the use of approved treatments for wood packaging material, including heat treatments (conventional steam or dry kiln, and dielectric radiation) and methyl bromide.                 

## New Standard-Setting Initiatives, Including Those in Development 

                    A number of expert working group meetings or other technical                           ( print page 1830)                        consultations will take place during 2013 on the topics listed below. These standard-setting initiatives are under development and may be considered for future adoption. APHIS intends to participate actively and fully in each of these working groups. The U.S. position on each of the topics to be addressed by these various working groups will be developed prior to these working group meetings and will be based on APHIS' technical analysis, information from other U.S. Government agencies, and relevant scientific information from interested stakeholders.                 

                    1.                     *Establishment and maintenance of fruit fly quarantine areas within pest free areas in the event of an outbreak detection.*                     This draft is proposed as an Annex to ISPM 26, Establishment of pest free areas for fruit flies (Tephritidae). It will provide guidance on the establishment and maintenance of regulated areas within pest free areas (PFA) when fruit fly outbreaks are detected. It will provide guidance on phytosanitary measures which are intended to protect other production areas and, as far as possible, will allow for the continuation of fruit and vegetable production, movement and handling, treatment, and shipping when some or all of the components of the export process are located in the regulated areas within the PFA.                 

                    2.                     *Determination of host status of fruits and vegetables to fruit fly (Tephritidae) infestation.*                     This standard will provide guidelines for the determination of the host status of fruits and vegetables to fruit fly infestation. It describes three categories of host status for fruit flies: natural host, non-natural host, and non-host. It includes methodologies for surveillance under natural field conditions and trials under semi-natural field conditions that should be used to ascertain the host status of fruits and vegetables to fruit fly infestation where the knowledge of host status is uncertain or disputed.                 

                    3.                     *Appendix to ISPM 12: Electronic certification, information on standard XML schemes and exchange mechanisms.*                     This appendix contains information and guidance to NPPOs to use the World Wide Web Consortium (WC3) Extensible Markup Language (XML) as the standardized language for exchange of electronic certificate data between NPPOs.                 

                    4.                     *Annex to ISPM 27: Diagnostic Protocol for Tilletia indica.*                     This diagnostic protocol contains pest information, taxonomy, detection, examination of seeds, extraction of teliospores, morphological identification, germination, molecular identification, and a list of references.                 

                    5.                     *Annex to ISPM 27: Diagnostic Protocol for Guignardia citricarpa.*                     This diagnostic protocol contains pest information, taxonomy, symptoms, identification procedures, isolation and culture, morphology, molecular assays, and a list of references.                 

                    For more detailed information on the above topics, which will be addressed by various working groups established by the CPM, contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     above).                 

                    APHIS posts draft standards on the Internet (                    *http://www.aphis.usda.gov/​import_​export/​plants/​plant_​exports/​phyto_​international_​standards.shtml*) as they become available and provides information on the due dates for comments. Additional information on IPPC standards is available on the IPPC Web site at                     *http://www.ippc.int/​IPP/​En/​default.htm*. For the most current information on official U.S. participation in IPPC activities, including U.S. positions on standards being considered, contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     above). Those wishing to provide comments on any of the areas of work being undertaken by the IPPC may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see                     **ADDRESSES**                     above) or by providing comments through Ms. Aliaga.                 

## NAPPO Standard-Setting Activities 

                    NAPPO, a regional plant protection organization created in 1976 under the IPPC, coordinates the efforts among Canada, the United States, and Mexico to protect their plant resources from the entry, establishment, and spread of harmful plant pests, while facilitating intra- and inter-regional trade. NAPPO conducts its business through panels and annual meetings held among the three member countries. The NAPPO Executive Committee charges individual panels with the responsibility for drawing up proposals for NAPPO positions, policies, and standards. These panels are made up of representatives from each member country who have scientific expertise related to the policy or standard being considered. Proposals drawn up by the individual panels are circulated for review to Government and industry officials in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, who may suggest revisions. In the United States, draft standards are circulated to industry, States, and various government agencies for consideration and comment. The draft standards are posted on the Internet at                     *http://www.nappo.org/​en/​*. Once revisions are made, the proposal is sent to the NAPPO Working Group and the NAPPO Standards Panel for technical reviews, and then to the Executive Committee for final approval, which is granted by consensus.                 

The annual NAPPO meeting was held October 16 to 18, 2012, in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. The NAPPO Executive Committee meeting took place on October 15, 2012. The Deputy Administrator for PPQ is a member of the NAPPO Executive Committee. The Deputy Administrator participated in the proceedings to discuss or comment on APHIS' position on any standard up for adoption or any proposals to develop new standards. 

                    Below is a summary of current panel assignments as they relate to the ongoing development of NAPPO standards. The United States (i.e., USDA/APHIS) intends to participate actively and fully in the work of each of these panels. The U.S. position on each topic will be guided and informed by the best scientific information available on each of these topics. For each of the following panels, the United States will consider its position on any draft standard after it reviews a prepared draft. Information regarding the following NAPPO panel topics, assignments, activities, and updates on meeting times and locations may be obtained from the NAPPO homepage at                     *http://www.nappo.org*                     or by contacting Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     above).                 

#### 1. Accreditation Panel 

The panel will perform an audit of the U.S. NPPO's adherence to Regional Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (RSPM) 9, “Authorization of laboratories for phytosanitary testing” and review the audit training program with a view to establishing a harmonized approach for NAPPO countries. 

#### 2. Biological Control Panel 

The panel has revised RSPM 26, “Certification of commercial arthropod biological control agents moving into NAPPO member countries,” reviewed the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) report on the evaluation of risk of imported bee pollen and royal jelly on plant health through the use of pollinators, and will determine research needs and recommend mitigation measures. 

#### 3. Citrus Panel 

                    The panel continues exchanging information on the situation of citrus quarantine pests among NAPPO member countries, OIRSA, and other Caribbean countries. The panel is revising and updating the appendices for RSPM 16, “Importation of Citrus                           ( print page 1831)                        propagative material into a NAPPO member country”. The panel will recommend measures for the establishment and maintenance of area wide management programs for Huanglongbing (HLB) and its vector.                 

#### 4. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification Panel 

The panel continues participating in the international development of electronic certification towards a functioning regional and global e-certification capability; reviewing the consolidated IPPC XML Schema and ISPM 12 mapping currently being developed by the IPPC; harmonizing ISPM 12 code list for botanical names, treatments, additional declarations and product descriptions; and advancing discussions of methods for the transfer, security measures, and the validation of electronic certification. 

#### 5. Forestry Panel 

The panel completed the standard for regulating the movement of wooden articles intended for indoor and outdoor use (“Importation of certain wooden and bamboo commodities into a NAPPO member country”); completed the drafting of a standard on the movement of Christmas trees within the NAPPO region; is working on a discussion paper regarding the applicability of the current standards for heat treatment for wood products considering that certain pests such as the emerald ash borer (EAB) have demonstrated a tolerance to treatments; has reviewed and drafted a discussion paper reporting on the risks associated with fungi moving on wood commodities; and directed a TAG to report advances on additional research for the application of biological control of the EAB. The panel is working on a document summarizing current approaches used within North America to manage pests of firewood. 

#### 6. Fruit Panel 

                    The panel has developed recommendations for technically justified phytosanitary measures to mitigate the risk of introduction of                     *Lobesia botrana*                     into NAPPO countries, including measures to deal with a possible outbreak; has provided oversight to a TAG to compile and analyze the available scientific information on appropriate phytosanitary measures against                     *Drosophila suzukii,*                     evaluating and determining which measures are appropriate for application by NAPPO countries; and is completing the TAG documents on                     *Rhagoletis*                     and                     *Tetranychus*                     trapping.                

#### 7. Grains Panel

The panel contributed to the organization (agenda and speakers) of the IPPC workshop on the international movement of grain, in Vancouver, Canada, in December 2011. Taking into account discussions at the IPPC workshop, the panel identified relevant phytosanitary issues and evaluated the need for a NAPPO standard on the movement of grain.

#### 8. Invasive Species Panel

The panel finalized a pathway risk analysis standard with support from the Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) panel; collaborated with the PRA panel to review the scientific literature on climate change and completed the discussion paper on its pertinence to the PRA process; and identified the most important invasive plant species threats to North America, which were presented at the NAPPO Annual Meeting symposium in October 2012.

#### 9. Pest Risk Analysis Panel

The panel completed the discussion paper on the potential for climate change to affect the ability of pests to spread and establish in new areas, including the implications for the current PRA process, with assistance from the Invasive Species panel; reviewed and addressed comments on the NAPPO Pest Risk Analysis standard (RSPM 31); completed a discussion paper summarizing the risk associated with the movement of wooden articles intended for indoor and outdoor use; and completed the development of the PRA format including risk-ranking guidelines.

#### 10. Phytosanitary Alert System (PAS) Panel

The panel prepared guidelines for the development of pest alerts and a checklist of alert sources to ensure all available sources are being utilized but not duplicated; coordinated outreach with other related Web sites and linked them to the PAS Web site; conducted outreach activities for possible collaboration between NAPPO, OIRSA, and other NPPOs in Central America on pest alerts; and posted new pest reports and alerts to the NAPPO PAS Web site.

#### 11. Plants for Planting

The panel reviewed the need to maintain RSPM 24, “Integrated pest risk management measures for the importation of plants for planting into NAPPO member countries” after the IPPC standard on the same subject was adopted; completed the pest list annexes for RSPM 35, “Guidelines for the Movement of Stone and Pome Fruit Trees and Grapevines into a NAPPO Member Country;” and organized the Plants for Planting Symposium for the 2012 Annual Meeting, focusing on regulatory strategies for the nursery industry (including greenhouses).

#### 12. Potato Panel

The panel developed a NAPPO discussion paper on the efficacy of potato sprout inhibitors, gathered the most recent information potato virus Y and identified the strains of concern to the NAPPO region based on biological and economic factors, and completed the review of RSPM 3, “Requirements for the importation of potatoes.” The panel investigated the potential phytosanitary issues related to zebra chip.

#### 13. Seeds Panel

The panel is working to complete the NAPPO regional standard on seed movement, an appendix on pathogens considered to be seedborne and seed-transmitted pests, and the annexes covering phytosanitary import requirements, recommended seed testing and diagnostic methods for most important seed pests, and recommended seed treatments for quarantine seed pests. The panel continues to support efforts in the development of an international standard for seed.

#### 14. Standards Panel

The panel coordinated the review of new and amended NAPPO standards, diagnostic and treatment protocols, and implementation plans; provided updates on NAPPO standards and ISPMs for the NAPPO Newsletter; maintained the NAPPO Glossary; and is developing a regulatory response upon detection of new pests in NAPPO to avoid bilateral irritants.

#### 15. Tuta absoluta Technical Advisory Group

                    This TAG has developed a surveillance protocol for the tomato leaf miner,                     *Tuta absoluta*                     for NAPPO countries which includes a system for early detection, trapping criteria, a system for delimiting surveys, and recommended phytosanitary measures when detections are made.                

The PPQ Associate Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. delegate to NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these regional plant health standards, including the work described above, once they are completed and ready for such consideration.

                    The information in this notice contains all the information available to us on NAPPO standards currently under                           ( print page 1832)                        development or consideration. For updates on meeting times and for information on the working panels that may become available following publication of this notice, go to the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at                     *http://www.nappo.org*                     or contact Ms. Julie Aliaga (see                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     above). Information on official U.S. participation in NAPPO activities, including U.S. positions on standards being considered, may also be obtained from Ms. Aliaga. Those wishing to provide comments on any of the topics being addressed by any of the NAPPO panels may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see                     **ADDRESSES**                     above) or by transmitting comments through Ms. Aliaga.                

Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of January, 2013.

Kevin Shea,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 2013-00207 Filed 1-8-13; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-34-P